Chelsea midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah has been targeted by Championship rivals Watford and Wigan Athletic.
The 18-year-old, who came close to securing short-term moves to Sunderland and Crystal Palace over the summer, earned a new £35,000-per-week contract with the Blues after impressing on loan at Vicarage Road last season.
After failing to seal a loan to a Premier League outfit, the West London club have decided to send him back down the the second tier in order to gain more first-team experience.
According to The Mirror, the news has caught the attention of the Hornets, who remain interested in taking the England Under-21 international back.
However, they are believed to be unwilling to meet his hefty pay packet.
That is not such a problem for Latics boss Owen Coyle, who is flush following James McCarthy's sale to Everton and keen to use some of the cash to fund the teenager's wages.
Michael Penkman
